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Work to extend Aspen airport runway begins

ASPEN — Work is beginning on a runway extension project at Aspen’s airport.

Construction is set to start today and it’s expected to be finished before the start of the next ski season.

The Aspen Daily News reports that extending the runway will allow summer flights to Aspen to carry full passenger loads. That’s expected to make another 12,000 seats available to potential visitors.

The first phase of the $15.4 million project involves installing a new water connection, which won’t affect flights. Work in September and October will prevent United Airlines’ flights from using the airport during a total of six days.

Planes won’t have the full use of the existing runway then. Frontier Airlines and private flights will still be able to operate then.